Hinged Hawk Board

ABSTRACT

A hawk having a first board with an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, and an edge. A handle is attached to the lower surface of the first board, and a hinge is attached to the edge of the first board. A second board with an upper surface is also attached to the hinge. An angle between the first board and the second board can be set as desired by selectively rotating the hinge between the first board and the second board.

PRIORITY

This application claims rights and priority on prior pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/115,109 filed 2020 Nov. 18, the entirety of the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of masonry. More particularly, this invention relates to hawk boards that are used to deliver mortar to brick joints, such as when repointing the joints.

INTRODUCTION

Brick and mortar is a commonly-used façade for buildings and other structures because of its resistance to weather and other damaging conditions. However, it is not unusual that, with time, the mortar in the joints between the bricks begins to age and crumble.

One remedy to this condition is to tear down the brick and mortar façade or structure and rebuild it. However, it is often structurally acceptable and much more cost effective to simply remove the mortar in the joints to a given depth and replace it with fresh mortar. This process is known as repointing.

After the old mortar in a joint is removed, the new mortar is brought in proximity to the joint on a board called a hawk, and a desired amount of the mortar is pushed into the joint with a repointing tool. The hawk is typically a flat board of wood, metal, or some other relatively resilient material, on which an amount of mortar is disposed. The artisan uses the mortar to fill the joints until the supply on the hawk is exhausted, at which time the hawk is replenished with a fresh supply of mortar.

Unfortunately, the prior art designs of the hawk have a few drawbacks that tend to result in a waste of mortar, money, time, and patience. For example, while it is easy enough to scrape a desired amount of mortar off of the planar surface of the hawk into a horizontal joint, it is much less easy to apply mortar to a vertical joint. The planar surface of the hawk isn't easily disposed in a vertical orientation to accommodate the vertical joint without the mortar sliding off the hawk, and if the hawk is kept in a horizontal orientation, then it is challenging to scrap more than just the tiniest amount of mortar into the vertical joint with each motion of the repointing tool.

Similarly, trying to apply mortar to outside and inside corners of the masonry is very challenging. It is difficult to position the hawk into an inside corner, and a hawk placed against one plane of an outside corner tends to drop mortar when repointing near the edge of the outside corner.

What is needed, therefore, is a hawk or a set of hawks that tend to reduce issues such as those introduced above, at least in part.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by a hawk having a first board with an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, and an edge. A handle is attached to the lower surface of the first board, and a hinge is attached to the edge of the first board. A second board with an upper surface is also attached to the hinge. An angle between the first board and the second board can be set as desired by selectively rotating the hinge between the first board and the second board.

In various embodiments according to this aspect of the disclosure, at least one of the first board and the second board includes a substantially ninety-degree cutout. In some embodiments, the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree cutout between them at the hinge. In some embodiments, the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge. In some embodiments, the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge.

In some embodiments, the first board and the second board have first adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge, and opposing second adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge. In some embodiments, the handle includes a bore for receiving a pole. In some embodiments, the upper surfaces of the first and second boards include a texture. In some embodiments, the first and second boards are formed of at least one of wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic.

DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hawk in an angular position according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hawk in a planar position according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hawk in an angular position according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a hawk according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hawk according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hawk having combined features according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hawk having combined features according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hawk having combined features according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a contoured upper surface of a hawk, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a method for elevating a hawk to an artisan position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a perspective view of a hawk 100 in an angular position according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hawk 100 includes two boards that are joined by a hinge 102, with a handle 104 disposed in a perpendicular position on the bottom surface of one of the boards. The hinge 102 allows one of the boards of the hawk 100 to be placed in an angular position with respect to the other board, as depicted in FIG. 1, or to lie flat in a planar position, as depicted in FIG. 2. In various embodiments, the hinge 102 comprises one or more hinges, a piano hinge that runs the length of the hawk, a cloth or other flexible portion disposed between the two boards, or combinations of such.

The hawk 100 can, in some embodiments, lie in the flat, planar position by merely holding the handle 104, where either the hinge 102 itself is configured so as to not allow the boards to rotate past a planar position with respect to one another, or stops are placed on the bottom of at least one of the boards so that the boards do not rotate past a planar position with respect to one another. Other structures for keeping the boards at either a planar disposition or at a desired default angle other than 180 degrees with respect to one another are also contemplated.

The boards can be placed into one or more or an infinite variety of angular positions with respect to one another in a variety of different ways, or using a variety of different structures. For example, in one embodiment the artisan can hold the handle 104 that is attached to one of the boards against the palm of his hand with his fingers, and use his thumb to incline the other board to any angle that he might desire. In another embodiment, a ratcheting structure is disposed on the hawk 100, such as underneath the boards or at one end of the boards, where the ratcheting structure can be set to hold the boards in a desired angular position.

In yet another embodiment, the hinge 102 has built within it locking positions, such as detents, that can be set to a desired one of a variety of different angular positions. Still further, a tensioning device, such as a threaded rod with a thumbscrew, runs through the hinge, and after the hinge 104 is placed into the desired angular position of the two boards, the thumbscrew is tightened, thereby retaining the hinge in the desired angular position.

With the hawk 100 disposed in the angular position as depicted in FIG. 1, it is easy for the artisan to move mortar (not depicted in the figures so as to not obscure the construction of the hawk 100) into a vertical joint 106 between bricks 110 (or blocks, boards, or other such elements), as depicted. With the hawk 100 disposed in the planar position as depicted in FIG. 2, it is easy for the artisan to move mortar into a horizontal joint 108, as depicted.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a hawk 100 in a first position, suitable for delivering mortar to an inside corner of the masonry. In the first position, the two hinged boards of the hawk 100 substantially form a ninety-degree angle between them (when they are in a planar position), as depicted at end 114 of the hawk 100 depicted in FIG. 4. In the second position, as depicted at end 116 in FIG. 4, the two hinged boards of the hawk 100 substantially form a sixty-degree angle between them, when they are in a planar position. Other relative angles could also be selected for the first and second positions 114 and 116 of the hawk 100.

By using a hinged hawk 100 with an angle between the two boards (such as at ends 114 and 116), the artisan is able to more easily deliver mortar to the joints that are disposed within an inside corner of the masonry, as the hawk 100 can be inclined toward the masonry, while keeping the effective angle between the boards as desired.

With reference now to FIG. 4, there is depicted an embodiment of the handle 104 that is disposed on the bottom surface of one of the boards of the hawk 100. As can be seen, the handle is sized so as to be conveniently held in one hand by the artisan. In one embodiment, a bore 122 is formed in the end of the handle 104, such as can receive the end of a pole 124, such as a telescoping pole 124, as depicted in FIG. 10. In this manner, an assistant can use the pole 124 to hand a hawk 100 that is loaded with mortar up to the artisan without the use of a second ladder or overloading the artisan's ladder with a second person. In this manner, the assistant does not have to repeatedly climb up and down a ladder.

With reference now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a hawk 100 where one of the boards includes a substantially ninety-degree cut 112 in one side of the board, suitable for delivering mortar to an outside corner of the masonry. In this manner, the mortar can be delivered to the horizontal joint 108, for example, around both sides of the outside corner without moving the hawk 100.

With reference now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, there are depicted hawks 100 with a combination of the features as described above. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6, one of the hinged boards of the hawk 100 is formed with substantially a ninety-degree cut 112 in an outside edge of the board, so as to accommodate the delivery of mortar to outside corner joints, horizontal joints, and vertical joints. In another embodiment as depicted in FIG. 7, one end 118 of the hinged boards forms a straight line, such as depicted in FIG. 1, while the other end 116 of the hinged boards forms an angle, such as sixty-degrees or ninety-degrees, such as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. In another embodiment as depicted in FIG. 8, the cut 112 for an outside corner is disposed in an alternate location. In these embodiments, many of the features of the hawks 100 as described above are provided in a single hawk 100.

FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a patterned upper surface 120 of a hawk 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. By providing a textured surface 120 to the hawk 100, a greater amount of friction is provided between the boards and the mortar, which tends to retain the mortar on the hawk 100 when it is inadvertently tipped in one direction or another.

Various materials are contemplated for the construction of the hawk 100, such as woods, metals, plastics, ceramics, and combinations of such. The hawk 100 can have a variety of different sizes and shapes in different embodiments, such as eight inches square, ten inches square, rectangular, trapezoidal, irregular, and so forth.

In some embodiments, a selection of one or more of the hawks 100 as described herein is provided as a kit, which in some embodiments also includes one or more repointing tools.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means all possible combinations of none or multiple instances of each of A, B, and C, but at least one A, or one B, or one C. For example, and without limitation: Ax1, Ax2+Bx1, Cx2, Ax1+Bx1+Cx1, Ax1+Bx12+Cx113. It does not mean Ax0+Bx0+Cx0.

The foregoing description of embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. A hawk comprising: a first board having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface and an edge, a handle attached to the lower surface of the first board, a hinge attached to the edge of the first board, and a second board having an upper surface and attached to the hinge, where an angle between the first board and the second board can be set as desired by selectively rotating the hinge between the first board and the second board.
 2. The hawk of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first board and the second board includes a substantially ninety-degree cutout.
 3. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree cutout between them at the hinge.
 4. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge.
 5. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the first board and the second board have adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge.
 6. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the first board and the second board have first adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge, and opposing second adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge.
 7. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a bore for receiving a pole.
 8. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces of the first and second boards include a texture.
 9. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the first and second boards are formed of at least one of wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic.
 10. A hawk comprising: a first board having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface and an edge, a handle attached to the lower surface of the first board, a hinge attached to the edge of the first board, a second board having an upper surface and attached to the hinge, and the first board and the second board having first adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge, where an angle between the first board and the second board can be set as desired by selectively rotating the hinge between the first board and the second board.
 11. The hawk of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first board and the second board includes a substantially ninety-degree cutout.
 12. The hawk of claim 10, wherein the first board and the second board have second adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge.
 13. The hawk of claim 10, wherein the handle includes a bore for receiving a pole.
 14. The hawk of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces of the first and second boards include a texture.
 15. The hawk of claim 10, wherein the first and second boards are formed of at least one of wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic.
 16. A hawk comprising: a first board having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface and an edge, a handle attached to the lower surface of the first board, a hinge attached to the edge of the first board, a second board having an upper surface and attached to the hinge, and the first board and the second board having first adjacent edges that form a substantially ninety-degree angle between them at the hinge, and opposing second adjacent edges that form a substantially sixty-degree angle between them at the hinge, where an angle between the first board and the second board can be set as desired by selectively rotating the hinge between the first board and the second board.
 17. The hawk of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first board and the second board includes a substantially ninety-degree cutout.
 18. The hawk of claim 16, wherein the handle includes a bore for receiving a pole.
 19. The hawk of claim 16, wherein the upper surfaces of the first and second boards include a texture.
 20. The hawk of claim 16, wherein the first and second boards are formed of at least one of wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic. 